Pebble heater baffle



Aug. 28, 1951 D. s. HALL PEBBLE HEATER BAFFLE 2 Sheet's-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 26. 1948 RECVOIRDER INVENTOR.

D.S.HALL BY 1 a 1 ATTORNEYS D. s. HALL PEBBLE HEATER BAFFLE Aug. 28, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 26. 1948 Fla. 2

milsurox.

o. s. HALL ATTORNEYS Patented Aug. 28, 1951 PEBBLE HEATER BAFFLE Dick S. Hall, Bartlesville, kla., assignor to Phillips Petroleum Company, a corporation of Delaware Application October 26, 1948, Serial No. 56,514

This invention relates to improved pebble heater apparatus. In one of its more specific aspects, it relates to means for obtaining more eiilcient heat transfer between a iluid mass 01' pebbles and agaseous heat exchange material. In another of its more specific aspects, it relates to an improved baflle for pebble chambers of pebble heater apparatus.

Thermal heating, treating or conversion processes which are carried out in so-called pebble heater" apparatus utilize a flowing mass 01' solid heat exchange material, which mass is heated to a high temperature by passing'a hot gaseous heat exchange material therethrough in a first direct heat exchange step. The heated solid heat exchange material is then caused to contact a second gaseous material for the purpose of furnishing heat thereto for the heating, treating or conversion of that second gaseous material. The conventional pebble heater apparatus generally comprises two chambers which may be disposed, in substantially vertical aligment. The

solid heat exchange material is admitted intothe upper portion of a first or upper chamber of such an apparatus and forms a moving pebble bed therein. The solid heat exchange material in that moving pebble bed moves downwardly through the upper chamber in direct heat exchange with hot gaseous heat exchange material which is injected thereinto at the lower portion of the chamber. The solid heat exchange material is heated to a high' temperature in that heat exchange and is then passed to the second or lower chamber through a connecting throat and forms a second moving pebble bed therein through which gaseous materials are passed countercurrently so as to heat thermally, treat or convert the gases in their contact with the heated pebbles.

Solid heat exchange material which is conventionally used in pebble heater apparatus may generally be termed pebbles. The term pebbles" as used herein denotes any solid refractory material of fiowable size and form, having considerable strength and which is suitable to carry large amounts of heat from a pebble heater chamber to a gas heating chamber without rapid deterioration or substantial breakage. Pebbles conventionally used in pebble heater apparatus are substantially spherical in shape and range from about one-eighth inch to about one inch in diameter. In a high temperature process, pebbles having a diameter of between about onefourth and about three-eighths men are preterred. The pebbles may be termed oi any 8 Claims. (Cl. 263-19) refractory material which will withstand temperatures at least as high as the highest temperature attained in the pebble heating chamber and which materials will withstand the temperature changes to which they are subjected within the pebble heater apparatus. Refractory materials such as metal alloys, ceramics, or other satisfactory material may be utilized to form such pebbles silicon carbide, alumina, periclase, beryllia, stellite, zirconia, and mullite may be satisfactorily used to form such pebbles or may be used in admixture with each other, or with other materials. Pebbles formed of such materials, when properly fired, serve very well in high temperatures, some withstanding temperatures up to about 3500 F. Pebbles which are used may be either inert or catalytic as used in any selected process.

Many of the conventional pebble chambers of pebble heater apparatus utilize single outlets in their lower ends for withdrawing pebbles from the pebble bed within the pebble chamber. Pebbles within the pebble chamber tend to form stagnant zones containing stagnant pebbles.

'- Such stagnant zones are generally confined to an area below an imaginary cone, the vertex angle of which is at the pebble outlet, the vertex angle being between 40 and 120. This imaginary cone is limited by the angle of slip of the pebbles, which angle varies between about 30 and 70 and may be defined generally as the angle between a horizontal plane and the line of cleavage between stagnant and moving zones of pebbles as the pebbles are withdrawn through a constricted pebble outlet in the bottom oi a pebble chamber. The exact angle oi slip for any pebble chamber depends upon the size and shape of the pebbles and the depth of the pebble bed within the chamber. Gaseous heat exchange materials, which are injected into'the lower portion of a pebble chamber containing a relatively deep pebble bed, tend to flow comparatively uniformly through the lower portion of the bed. Gas flow through the upper portion of the bed has been found to be at least partially dependent upon the shape of the topof the pebble bed. In those chambers in which pebbles are admitted axially to a relatively deep pebble bed, gas flow in the upper portion of the bed tends to take an outward turn. When more shallow pebble beds are utilized, 1. e., where the pebble bed has a depth approaching 1.5 diameters or less, the gas flow tends to flow similarly to that in the upper portion of the deep pebble bed and to seek a channel through the outer periphery of the entire aseasu and extend upwardly through closure member I8 and are adjustably retained in place by fastener mixed at their lower ends in header member 21 members 28 which make threaded communication with that portion of adjustment member 28 which extends through closure member l8.

' Outer adjusting means 3| comprises suspension pebble bed which is maintained in a moving 1 state.

An object of this invention is to provide means for regulating flow patterns of gaseous heat exchange material through a pebble chamber. Another object of the invention is to provide an improved method for accomplishing the most efllcient heat transfer between solid and gaseous heat exchange material in a pebble chamber. Another object of the invention is to provide an improved pebble chamber. Another object is to provide an improved bailie for use in pebble chambers having a relatively small ratio of pebble bed depth to diameter. Other and further objects and advantages will be apparent upon study of the accompanying disclosure.

Und of the invention will be facilitated upon the reference to the diagrammatic drawings in which Figure 1 is a, partial section elevation of a pebble chamber embodying the invention. Figure 2 is a horizontal section taken alonglinel-2 ofFigure 1. Figure 3 is a schematic view of a pebble heater apparatus embodying the invention.

In Figure 1, pebble chamber ll comprises a closed outer shell I! which is closed in its upper and lower ends by closure members It and II, respectively. Shell I! may be insulated by layers of refractory. or super refractory material, which will protect the metal shell from the high temperatures maintained within the pebble chamber. Pebble outlet conduit II is provided in the lower portion of closure member It and efliuent outlet conduit I is provided. and preferably is centrally disposed in closure member i3. Pebble inlet conduit II extends through the wall of 'efiluent outlet conduit It and extends axially into the upper portion of the chamber formed within shell [2. Gaseous heating material inlet conduits I I are provided in the lower portion of shell II.- Baille I! comprises a shaped, overlapping sections 2| which form a truncated cone extending from its lower periphery adjacent the insulated wall of shell I! upwardly and inwardly about pebble inlet conduit ll so as to form an, annular efliuent opening therein below eflluent outlet conduit It. Seetions II are hinged or flexibly afllxed by flexible f I! to a connecting support member 23 which may be in the form of a ring. or a strap forming a many-sided figure such as that shown 60 her ll.

by dotted lines in Figure 2 of the drawing. Inner adjusting means 2| comprises rigid suspension members 25 extending through slotted openings 20. Slotted 2B are provided in overla p n baille sections 2| near their upper or inner ends. Each baille section is provided with a slot 26 adjacent both of-its lateral sides. When baflle secflons II overlap, slots 26 in the overlapping portions also overlap to allow suspension member II to extend therethrough so as to support ballle sections II thereon. Suspension 25 are aillxed at their upper ends to header member 21, thus forming a rigid support member for the upper or inner end of the truncated conical belle. Adjustment members it are members 32 which are aillxed at their lower ends to connecting support member 23 and extend upwardly through openings 33 provided near the 1 periphery of baifie is. Suspension members I! also extend upwardly through closure member I! and are adjustably retained in place by fastener members 34 which make threaded communication with that portion of members 32 which extend through closure member II.

Although fastener members It and 34 are shown as hand wheels in the drawing. use of automatic adjustment means is contemplated. Members 2! and 34 are replaced by pulley fastener members which make threaded communication with members 28 and 32. All of the pulley members are driven collectively by a single reversible motor, or pulley members attached to members 32 are driven collectively and pulley members attached to members 28 are also driven collectively as separate groups. Thermocouple members it are aillxed to connecting support member 23 near the periphery of ballle l9 and bailie sections 2| near .their upper or inner ends. Thermocouple members 35 communicate with recorder II, which is also a controller when automatic operation is desired. The controller communicates with the motor drive means for the pulley fastener members.

In the operation of the device shown in Figure l of the drawing, pebbles are admitted into the chamber formed within insulated shell I! through pebble inlet conduit II. The pebbles flow downwardly and outwardly from pebble inlet conduit I1 and form a pebble bed within chamber H, which pebble bed has a substantially cone shaped top; Gaseous heat exchange heat exchange ma; terials are injected into chamber ll through gaseous material inlet conduits II. In thou cases in which chamber II is utilized as a pebble heater chamber, the gaseous heat exchange material may be combustion gases or may be combustible material which may be burned in a separate complurality of wedge 50 bustion chamber within the lower portion of chamber II, or in an annular combustion chamber about the lower portion of chamber II. or

may be burned in direct contact with the pebbles within chamber H. The gaseous heat exchange material is-passed upwardly through the downwardly flowing pebbles in chamber ll. Baf fle I5 is spaced from the top of the pebble bed so as to relatively increase the pressure in that portion of the pebble bed near the wall of cham- The gases are thus caused to flow inwardly through 'the moving mass of pebbles and as they escape from the top of the pebble bed. they pass upwardly through the annular eilluent opening formed between baflle member II and as pebble inlet conduit l1 'and are removed from chamber ll through ellluent outlet conduit I.

Baflle member I! is ordinarily adjusted so that the slope of its sides substantially corresponds to the slope of the top of the pebble bed.

The ratio of gas flow. through the central portion of the pebble bed to that through the outer or peripheral portion of the pebble bed may be increased, however, by adjusting the baille with relation to the top of the pebble bed so as to controlthevolumeofgasflowthroughtbespace between the balls and the pebble bed. This control may be accomplished by adjusting fastener means It so as to lower suspension members l2 and adjusting fastener members 20 so as to raise adjustment members II or by lowering members 28 and raising members I2. One

edge of baille I8 is generally fixed in horizontal relation with the lower lip oi pebble conduit.

ll. Temperature measured by thermocouple members 35 is transmitted to recorder II where the temperature diilferential between the peripheral portion 01 the pebble bed and that closer to the axis of the chamber is measured. It is preferred in most cases to maintain the inner edge of baflle is in constant relation to the lower end of pebble conduit I1. I! a temperature dilierentia] exists between the central and the peripheral portion 01' the pebble bed members It or substituted pulley i'astener members are operated so as to lower the outer portion oi baiile is into closer proximity to the top of the pebble bed so as to increase the flow of gas through the central portion of the pebble bed and decrease the temperature diflerential. If in a modified method or operation the peripheral edge of baflle I9 is maintained in a ilxed relation with the outlet end of pebble inlet conduit l1 and a temperature differential exists, it is desirable to decrease that temperature difierential. To accomplish that result members II or substituted pulley fastener members are operated so as to decrease the slope of baiile II and. by lowering the center portion oi the baiile to a point in close proximity to the top or the pebble bed, increase the quantity of gas flow through the center part of the pebble bed.

In the device shown in Figure 3 the drawing, pebbles are admitted to chamber ll through pebble inlet conduit I1 and form a contiguous pebble mass therein which moves downwardly through chamber II and passes as a contiguous pebble stream through uninterrupted connecting throat 31 into gas heater chamber ll in which the desired heating, treating, or conversion of the gaseous materials is accomplished. A contiguous stream of pebbles is removed from the bottom of chamber as through pebble outlet conduit 30 and is circulated by means of elevator means ll to pebble inlet conduit l'l. Gaseous heating material is injected into chamber Ii through gaseous material inlet conduit II and gaseous efiluent material is removed from chamber ll through eilluent outlet conduit l5. Gaseous material to be heated in chamber ll is injected thereinto through gaseous material inlet conduit 42 and the heated, treated, or converted gaseous material is removed from chamber ll through eflluent outlet conduit ll. Baille member is is especially adaptable to pebble heater chambers, such as chamber l I. It may, however, be utilized in gas heating chambers, such as II, when gas heating processes are being carried on within the pebble heater apparatus.

The apparatus described above may be further modified so that it may be emciently utilized as a thermal hydrocarbon conversion chamber. In such chambers considerable coking is experienced as a result of a prolonged residence time of the reaction products in the upper portions of such chambers at conversion temperatures. The hydrocarbon materials over-crack under such conditions and form coke or carbon deposits on the chamber and in eiiiuent outlet conduits. Coking in the effluent outlets increases the pressure drop chamber may be modified by providing'a sleeve .7

N, which is slidably retained within eiiluent outlet conduit i8 and extends downwardly to ballle gas inlets 48 and flushing gas outlets It may be provided in chamber ll above baille member ll. Steam or another inert gas may be injected into chamber I I above baiiie member is so as to ilush the upper portion of the chamber, prevent passage oi reaction products into that portion of the chamber, and so as to cool baiiie member is and sleeve It. The cooling which will be accomplished will depend upon the rate at which the inert gas is passed through the flushed portion of the system. The system may be operated by maintaining the inert gas in the upper portion of the chamber so as to prevent passage 0! reactant materials thereintobut without withdrawing a portion of it through outlets ll.

Pebble inlets and outlets of the devices shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the drawing should be of such size that their diameters are at least 7 to 8 diameters oi the pebbles. By maintaining this proportion of pebble conduit diameter to pebble diameter, bridging of the pebbles within the pebble conduits is substantially obviated. Pebble inlet conduit Il may be adapted so as to be varied in length in any conventional manner. When the length of that conduit isvaried the position of baille I! may be varied so as to maintain its constant horizontal relation with conduit l'l.

As will be evident to those skilled in theart, various modifications oi this invention can be made or followed in the light of the foregoing disclosure and discussions without departing from the spirit or scope of such disclosure.

I claim: I

1. An improved pebble chamberof pebble heater apparatus which comprises in combination a closed outer shell; a pebble outlet in the lower end portion of said shell; a pebble inlet conduit centrally disposed in the upper end of said shell; an efiluent outlet conduit concentrically disposed with said pebble inlet conduit; at least one heat exchange material inlet in the lower portion of said shell; and a variable pitch baille within the upper portion of the chamber formed within said shell, said baille being formed as a truncated cone extending from its periphery adjacent said shell upwardly about said pebble inlet conduit to form an annular passage therethrough for eiliuent materials.

2. The pebble chamber of claim 1, wherein said baffle comprises a plurality of overlapping sections flexibly connected at points adjacent their lower edges and lateral edges;-and adjustment means to vary the slope and position of said baflle within said chamber.

3, The pebble chamber of claim 1, wherein said baille comprises a plurality of wedge shaped overlapping sections flexibly connected at points adjacent their lower edegs and upper lateral edges; thermocouples depending from points adjacent the periphery of said baffle and points relatively near the central portion oi said baille; a temperature recorder communicating with said thermocouples and adjustment means comprising a plurality of first suspension members operatively connected to said baille relatively near its upper end to allow the upper ends of said ballle sections to overlappingly converge or extend, said through the chamber. The above described 1| first suspension members adjustably connected to the top of said shell, and second suspension members operatively connected to said baille adjacent its periphery and adjustably connected to the top of said shell. g

4. An improved pebble heater chamber of pebble heater apparatus which comprises in combination a closed outer shell containing a fluent contiguous mass of pebbles; a pebble outlet in the lower end portion of said shell; a pebble inlet conduit centrally disposed in the upper end of said shell; an emuent outlet conduit concentrically disposed with said pebble inlet conduit; at least one fluent heat exchange material inlet means in the lower portion of said shell; a baflie within the upper portion of the chamber formed within said shell, said baflle comprising a plurality of overlapping wedge shaped sections flexibly connected at their lower ends to at least one connecting-support from its periphery adjacent saidshell upwardly and inwardly about said pebble inlet to form an annular passage therethrough for eifluent materials; a plurality of thermocouples depending from points adjacent the periphery of said bailie and points relatively near the central portion of said baflle; a temperature recorder communicating with said thermocouples; inner adjusting means comprising flrst rigid suspension members .extending through slotted openings in the overlapping portions of said baflle sections near their inner ends, a header member aflixed to the upper ends of said rigid suspension members, adjust ment members aflixed to said header member at spaced intervals thereon and extending upwardly through the top of said closed shell, and first fastener members adjustably retaining said adjustment members in place; and outer adjusting means comprising second rigid suspension members ailixed to said connecting-support member and extending upwardly through slotted openings in said bailie and through the upper portion of said closed shell, and second fastener members adjustably retaining said second rigid suspension members in place.

5. An improved method of operating a pebble heater chamber of pebble heater apparatus which comprises the steps of admitting pebbles axially into the upper portion of a pebble heater zone; passing said pebbles downwardly as acontiguous pebble bed through said pebble heater zone; passing hot gaseous heat exchange material upwardly through said pebble bed; suppressing the flow of said gaseous heat exchange material along the periphery of said pebble bed so as to increase the proportion of gas flow through the central portion of said bed in accordance with a temperature differential between central and peripheral portions of said bed; removing pebbles from the lower central portion of said pebble bed; and removing eflluent material from the top center portion of said pebble heater zone.

6. The pebble chamber of claim 1, wherein a sleeve slidably retained in said eilluent outlet and extends downwardly to rest on said baiile; and inert gas inlet in the upper portion of said shell above said bailie. I

7. The pebble chamber of claim 1, wherein said baille comprises a plurality of wedge shaped overmember and forming a truncated cone extending 8 lapping sections flexibly connected at points adiacent their lower edges and upper later edges:

and adjustment means comprising a plurality of flrst suspension members operatively connected to said baille relatively near its upper end to allow the upper ends or said baifle sections to overlap F ely converge or extend, said flrst suspension members adjustably connected to the top of said shell, and second suspension members operatively connected to said baifle adjacent its periphery and adjustably connected to the top of said shell.

8; An improved pebble heater chamber of pebble heater apparatus which comprises in combination'a closed outer shell containing a fluent contiguous mass of pebbles; a pebble outlet in the lower end portion of said shell; a pebble inlet conduit centrally disposed in the upper end of said shell; an eifluent outlet conduit concentrically disposed with said pebble inlet conduit; at least one fluent heat exchange material inlet means in the lower portion of said shell; a baille within the upper portion of the chamber formed within said shell, said .baflle comprising a plurality of overlapping wedge shaped sections flexibly connected at their lower ends to at least one connecting-support memberand forming a truncated cone extending from its periphery adjacent said shell upwardly and inwardly about said pebble inlet to form an annular passage therethrough for efliuent materials; inner adjusting means comprising flrst rigid suspension members extending through slotted openings in the overlapping portions of said baille sections near their inner ends, a header member, ailixed to the upper ends of said rigid suspension members, adjustment members afllxed to said header member at spaced intervals thereon and extending upwardly through the top of said closed shell, and first fastener members adjustably retaining said adjustment members in place; and outer adjusting means comprising second rigid suspension members amxed to said connecting support member and extending upwardly through slotted openings in said baflle and through the upper portion of said closed shell. and second fastener members adjustably retaining said second rigid suspension members in place.

, DICK S. HALL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

' UNITED STATES PATENTS 

1. AN IMPROVED PEBBLE CHAMBER OF PEBBLE HEATER APPARATUS WHICH COMPRISES IN COMBINATION A CLOSED OUTER SHELL; A PEBBLE OUTLET IN THE LOWER END PORTION OF SAID SHELL; A PEBBLE INLET CONDUIT CENTRALLY DISPOSED IN THE UPPER END OF SAID SHELL; AN EFFLUENT OUTLET CONDUIT CONCENTRICALLY DISPOSED WITH SAID PEBBLE INLET CONDUIT; AT LEAST ONE HEAT EXCHANGE MATERIAL INLET IN THE LOWER PORTION OF SAID SHELL; AND A VARIABLE PITCH BAFFLE WITHIN THE UPPER PORTION OF THE CHAMBER FORMED WITHIN SAID SHELL, SAID BAFFLE BEING FORMED AS A TRUNCATED CONE EXTENDING FROM ITS PERIPHERY ADJACENT SAID SHELL UPWARDLY ABOUT SAID PEBBLE INLET CONDUIT TO FORM AN ANNULAR PASSAGE THERETHROUGH FOR EFFLUENT MATERIALS. 